I’ve often thought about outfitting a van and traveling around, living in it, sleeping in it, self contained like a turtle. Living the nomad life, no address, following the seasons and the currents of life. I’ve watched van life videos on YouTube (of which there are hundreds). For example, meet Frank and his cat Sunny:
You are a man with a plan and a van. I'm glad you are going to Ashland. I love Ashland. I wonder how you will like the van life? If you will miss your place in SA while away. An adventure is a good idea- it's good to see new places! Lots of great writing opportunities.
Sounds like a lot of fun! Even the planning, figuring out the details. And then the almost archetypal journey... Actually, I and two friends drove a VW-van from Germany to India, in 1970. When this was still possible -- through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, then India. I learned a lot.
What a trip . Reminds me of my quasi-hippie days . I had a blue & white VW bus in the military . Yes , I listened to Alice's Restaurant and read On The Road and Dharma Bums . Rebelled against the Military that was feeding me and putting a roof over my head . I went from hitchhiking to van driving — sitting with my feet flat on the floor board , a big steering wheel that I could lean on , incense in the window , and I could look down on the road in front of me . I did build a " bed " in the back out of plywood and 2x4s that was as uncomfortable as a monk's hair shirt . Then , I got reassign to Southeast Asia , drove my VW down the less-travelled-by Texas backroads , even standing on the roof to take a photograph of the flat-line horizontal with huge skyscapes . I sold the VW cause my parents would not keep it for my year-long hiatus . When I returned I was in an existential and psychological crisis and spent several years re-doing myself from the ground up . I admire your dream and plans . And think of Thoreau , who wander-lusted his environs , taking to everyone and writing in his journal . Eventually his graduated to the canoe and to the train , added Indians to his neighbors , the Concord and Merrimac Rivers , Mount Katahdin , Cape Cod , and the Midwest . He slept in a cabin that he built on Emerson's land . He made pencils in his father's business . There were no automobiles or propane stoves or refrigerators or on medication for tuberculosis or for COVID , no Global Warming , no Medicaid or United Health Care , no retirement , and no plastic , just his reflections and dreams .
You are a man with a plan and a van. I'm glad you are going to Ashland. I love Ashland. I wonder how you will like the van life? If you will miss your place in SA while away. An adventure is a good idea- it's good to see new places! Lots of great writing opportunities.
What an exciting adventure. I'm eager to here updates as they come.
Sounds like a lot of fun! Even the planning, figuring out the details. And then the almost archetypal journey... Actually, I and two friends drove a VW-van from Germany to India, in 1970. When this was still possible -- through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, then India. I learned a lot.
What a trip . Reminds me of my quasi-hippie days . I had a blue & white VW bus in the military . Yes , I listened to Alice's Restaurant and read On The Road and Dharma Bums . Rebelled against the Military that was feeding me and putting a roof over my head . I went from hitchhiking to van driving — sitting with my feet flat on the floor board , a big steering wheel that I could lean on , incense in the window , and I could look down on the road in front of me . I did build a " bed " in the back out of plywood and 2x4s that was as uncomfortable as a monk's hair shirt . Then , I got reassign to Southeast Asia , drove my VW down the less-travelled-by Texas backroads , even standing on the roof to take a photograph of the flat-line horizontal with huge skyscapes . I sold the VW cause my parents would not keep it for my year-long hiatus . When I returned I was in an existential and psychological crisis and spent several years re-doing myself from the ground up . I admire your dream and plans . And think of Thoreau , who wander-lusted his environs , taking to everyone and writing in his journal . Eventually his graduated to the canoe and to the train , added Indians to his neighbors , the Concord and Merrimac Rivers , Mount Katahdin , Cape Cod , and the Midwest . He slept in a cabin that he built on Emerson's land . He made pencils in his father's business . There were no automobiles or propane stoves or refrigerators or on medication for tuberculosis or for COVID , no Global Warming , no Medicaid or United Health Care , no retirement , and no plastic , just his reflections and dreams .
An exhaust fan and a regular fan to blow air around, and good solar system will increase the quality of your van life oddessy.
Fwiw… I met Bob in Pahrump last winter. https://m.youtube.com/shorts/Kphj46hmvnA